Choosing Well

This past week I witnessed my oldest daughter struggle in-between two big choices on each side of her.

She was asked to join her youth group this summer to attend a five-day Christian high school conference by the name of CIY Move, which she hasn’t ever gone to. This is an event held in different areas of the country and I’ve been told it’s absolutely an amazing experience. On the flip side that sweet little conference just happens to land on the very same week as our county fair, and Paige showing her animals for 4H is something she doesn’t take lightly. I remember one summer we were in the middle of moving and by a cluttered state of mind I didn’t get my kids signed up for 4H, I thought I was going to lose my role as mom over that deal!

Needless to say, given the idea these events both take place on the same week Paige would have to end up deciding on just one.

Choices are tough, especially as we age. They say, on average, people are presented with roughly 35,000 conscious choices in one single day — goodness no wonder my ‘meat computer’ feels close to fried each evening!!

We choose what time we’re going to wake up in the morning. We choose our clothes…breakfast…hairstyle (this one’s easy for my bald husband). We choose our attitude, and whether we’ll smile, laugh, or frown.

Choices happen all day long, sometimes without us actually even giving much thought at all. I like to think of these as ordinary, everyday choices.

But then there’s those tough decisions, like what my daughter faced this week. I honestly cringed at the idea when I knew I was going to have to let Paige know these two ‘very-important-to her-events’ are happening the same week this summer and she’d have to choose between the two.

You bet when I finally told her, the good old fifteen-year-old floodgates poured open. She took herself and the news straight to her bedroom where I figured she’d remain for the afternoon without any desire to talk this over — ever. BUT when I went to check up on her a bit later she was actually holding up maturely and had let me know she was going to visit with her youth group leader to get her input.

Paige was already beginning the steps of choosing well in what impacted her as a big decision! And she was doing it with a good attitude! As a mom, this is exactly what I wanted to witness.

Decisions like Paige’s often times carry pros and cons and these are definitely worth considering before choosing one way or another.

There are some key Bible verses I like to reflect on when I’m overwhelmed by choice-making:

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Perspective is also important, because even though either of Paige’s two choices would’ve been fine it really comes down to having a glass half-full attitude rather than a glass-half empty one.

We can choose to see the good in all things. Even when the news of cancer comes, we can choose to recognize that God offers the most important healing for our souls in that circumstance. When the decision to move our family from one place to another seems unfavorable but necessary we can choose to remember God will come along regardless. When the pregnancy results in a miscarriage leaving an empty womb, we can choose to trust that God longs to fill our hearts with comfort, growth, and strength in Him.

Those are the tough things — but it comes down to choosing well even in the midst of chaos. When we feel nothing is left we must choose to remember, surrender, and obey to God’s perfect will — choose to believe in His unconditional love for us no matter what else is happening. He already has everything figured out anyway.

And when we miss the better choice we can come humbly to God, rest assured He holds us in the palm of His hands and will show us the better way still. After all we’re perfectly chosen by Him who makes no mistakes. He is the Corrector and Perfecter of all things and no doubt about it — choosing God, His way, and His direction will always be our best decision and can help guide us in everything else.

When I spoke with Paige later that evening she confidently told me she’d decided she was going to CIY this summer. When I asked her what helped her decide so assuredly she simply responded, ‘I just knew I wanted God to come first and felt this was the better choice.’

Oh how this mama’s heart chooses to swell with joy over that beautiful decision…I can’t wait to see how God is going to MOVE in the lives of those teens that week!

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

36 thoughts on “Choosing Well”

  2. What a beautiful post. Decisions have traditionally been difficult for me. Years ago they would sometimes make me panic. I hated making decisions. It felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. And I definitely did not always make the right choices. But as I have aged, I have learned to turn to God more and more. That doesn’t mean I always know what the right path is. But I seek Him for answers. And I know that even if I make the wrong choice, God’s Grace and mercy will get me back on the right path. Thank you for sharing this encouraging story with us. And I am so glad to hear that your daughter’s heart was in the right place to help guide her decision!! ❤️

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    1. Thank you Bridget! I can relate, I struggle sometimes in making choices where either one is okay to chose…it’s like being overwhelmed with too much of a good thing…even choosing which restaurant to eat at..that kind of thing.🤦‍♀️

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      1. Our oldest got a drivers license and went to college age 16 still under our roof. She asked if it was ok to go to a party. I told her that we had taught her how to make her own choices and she had to decide who she was going to be and become by those choices. I also told her she would suffer or be blessed by her choices. we would always love her and there was a safety still being under our roof .
        She said “I know but it scares me” Long story short, she now has her oldest in college who has been shown and taught how to make good choices. Yes, a lot of story to that reflection.

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      2. ❤️Thank you for sharing…love to see when “good” is passed on from generation to generation (especially when it comes to faith!!) I worry about generations to come as the world gets crazier but I can only do and show my best and hope it’s contagious!

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    1. Yes Amen!!….and just for the record — I secretly hoped she’d choose CIY Move over 4H…super excited for her to experience that week when it comes this summer!!
      Thanks for your encouragement Alan!!

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  11. You are to be commended also, Alicia. A lot of moms would have expressed their own view on what choice to make, but you left it up to her. From my own experience, I’d say that’s the wisest way to handle such situations with a child that’s showing signs of maturity. My parents allowed me to make a lot of my own decisions and gave me quite a bit of freedom starting in my mid-teens. I didn’t want to do anything to spoil their trust in me, causing restraints to be applied. Their training-by-trusting worked well for me.

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement! I was so thankful in being able to back off and allow me daughter to choose for herself…normally my control-freak antics would’ve wanted to take over from the start but God has been working on me and I was blessed to see how this turned out as I just trusted God’s work instead!

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  13. Beautiful post Ali. ❤❤❤ Love the verses you chose as your choosing well Scriptures. They’re both so good and comforting. So glad your daughter is choosing well. You and yours are in my prayers. ❤

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    1. Thank you so much Dawn! Yes I’m so thankful she’s chosen to attend this Christian youth event this summer, the thing that excites me most right now is that since the time she chose she hasn’t expressed any regret or unsureness. Praise the Lord!!

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